GET TO KNOW
What are the region-specific challenges
when implementing new technologies
in the Middle East?
We face an ongoing challenge to develop
the correct skills base in the Middle East.
Particularly as the Gulf economies look to
diversify from oil we have to invest in skills and
training across all disciplines, especially in the
areas where nCipher specialises, information
security and cryptography.
What changes to your job role have
you seen in the last year and how do
you see these developing in the next
12 months?
At nCipher we have had a particularly exciting
12 months. Earlier this year, we were divested
from Thales and subsequently acquired by
Entrust Datacard, so building our new team
has been a great challenge. In the next 12
months we will continue to establish our place
as an Entrust Datacard company and take
How do you deal with stress and
unwind outside the office?
My wife and I like to walk and find that
it gives us both an opportunity to talk
things through. Things that can seem
overwhelming never look as difficult after
a long ‘walk and talk’. We also like to travel
and are looking forward to our next trip,
which is to Petra in Jordan.
If you could go back and change one
career decision what would it be?
I wouldn’t change anything. I am a firm
believer that the decisions we make all
contribute to the person we become. So the
sum of those decisions have resulted in the
opportunities that we have today.
What do you currently identify as
the major areas of investment in
your industry?
From connected cars to smart medical
devices and intelligent monitoring systems,
the Internet of Things (IoT) is attracting
a lot of investment and research as the
promise of the technology to change our
lives is immense. At nCipher, our role is to
ensure the safety and integrity of these
investments through the application of
smart cryptography solutions.
82
INTELLIGENTCIO
“
I AM A FIRM
BELIEVER THAT
THE DECISIONS
WE MAKE ALL
CONTRIBUTE TO
THE PERSON WE
BECOME.
our combined message to our partners and
customers across the region.
What advice would you offer somebody
aspiring to obtain a C-level position in
your industry?
I would absolutely stress the importance of
flexibility and open-mindedness. So few people
have a traditional ‘linear’ career these days so
you can never tell where the next opportunity
will present itself. If you keep your mind open
to new and different challenges you will get
your reward. n
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